["Weymouth and St. Bernard Fire Departments put out a fire aboard Amanda's Pride at the slip in Weymouth North."]

SOUTHWESTERN N.S. – The RCMP in southwestern Nova Scotia are investigating two fires on fishing boats that the police believe were intentionally set.

The most recent incident occurred on Monday, Oct. 9 when the Buck and Doe fishing vessel was reported missing from the Comeauville Wharf in Comeauville, Digby County.

According to an RCMP media release, a witness reported that they saw the vessel burning in St. Mary's Bay. The vessel was later located in St. Mary's Bay, where it sunk before it could be towed back to the wharf.

Investigators located the lines that had been used to tie the vessel to the wharf, which had evidence of fire damage. The Meteghan RCMP are leading the investigation into this incident.

A few days earlier, on Oct. 5 at 7:44 a.m., a fire was reported aboard the Amanda's Pride 1. The vessel had been docked at the slip in Weymouth North. The RCMP say an initial investigation determined that something was put in the engine hatch, which caused the fire.

The vessel sustained damage to the interior. The Digby RCMP are leading the investigation into this incident.

The RCMP are not commenting on any motive for these fires.

“Both fires are under investigation and I can't speculate about the motivation of the parties responsible,” Corporal Jennifer Clarke said Tuesday.

There has been tension in the area in recent weeks over claims of illegal fishing under the guise of the aboriginal food fishery.

“I can't speak about the ethnicity of the victims,” Clarke said.

The Tri-County Vanguard was speaking to an owner of the one of the vessel after this story was posted. An update will be provided.

The RCMP is asking for public assistance to help with the investigations. Anyone with information on these suspicious fires or who may have been in the area at the time of the fires is asked to call the RCMP at 1-800-803-RCMP.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text TIP202 + your message to 'CRIMES' (274637) or submit tips by Secure Web Tips at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca. Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced and if police make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash award.